50 Greatest Soap Actresses: The Fans Strike Back

Posted by
Damon L. Jacobs

Dear We Love Soaps Readers,

We thank you all and appreciate your passionate comments regarding the We Love Soaps critics panel of the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses Of All Time. While Roger and I are recovering from that plague bestowed upon both of our houses, we wished to turn the focus of our panel back on YOU, the loyal readers of this website.

It is now YOUR turn to tell us who YOU think the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses of All Time are. We are going to ask you to do this the same way we ask the critics: Pick Your Top 25 Actresses (yes, only 25) whom you consider the greatest of all time, and send them our way. Everyone's definition of "great" may differ but that's why getting as many inputs as possible is important. We will ultimately report the Top 50 based on the choices and the point ranking system (25 points goes to #1, 24 points to #2...etc).

There are 2 ways to do this:
-Add your Top 25 choices as a comment on this e-mail
-Send them to me at Jacobs@Welovesoaps.net

Congratulations to you & Roger once again for (1) continuing to produce a wonderful, intelligent & thought provoking site for die-hard soap fans & (2) for the 50 Greatest Actresses which included some of the all-time best of daytime. It brought back lots of memories.

It's also a treat to see what your readership will come up with as their choices so definitely wanted to include my two-cents worth so here goes:

Victoria Wyndham would be my absolute #1 - she had the versatility to play Rachel's strong, nurturing mother character and her earlier schemingness, as well as the complete insanity that was Justine, and made both believable characters. Well, when the writing allowed. Her Rachel has always epitomised soap acting in my mind. As Sandra said, she was so modern, urban Gothic in her delivery - a real unique actress. When she told the Cory family that Ada died, it broke my heart.

2- Susan Flannery3- Judith Light (not the courtroom scenes in my mind as her best work, but the scene where she is telling Viki about her job)4- Beverlee McKinsey5- Erika Slezak (especially as Niki)6- Darlene Conley (moreso her characterization of Rose that showed her abilities, I think)7- Connie Ford8- Dorothy Lyman (she played Opal, such a realistic character, so realistically that it was painful)9- Lenore Kasdorf ("the... humping")10- Jeanne Cooper11- Linda Dano (the intervention scenes and Jenna losing the baby at the Cory cabin have stayed with me forever)12- Maureen Garrett13- Anna Kathryn Holbrook (how did SHE get forgotten?!)14- Suzanne Rogers15- Alicia Coppola (the queen of angst)16- Julia Barr17- Michelle Stafford18- Patsy Pease19- Ruth Warrick20- Beverly Penberthy (anyone remember drunk Pat Matthews?)21- Jaime Lyn Bauer (she played realistic-crazy very well, never too over-the-top, as Laura Horton, and she really proved her worth around Tom's funeral)22- Kate Collins23- Judi Evans (especially as Beth, when Lujack died)24- Louise Sorel25- Ilene Kristen (I hated her as Delia, that has to count for something)

Thanks for allowing the fans to put in their opinions. I only really follow ATWT but have dabbled with the other shows and was disappointed that more ATWT actresses didn't make the final list as the show has the best actors on daytime (writing is a whole other story).

1. Maura West (give her ANYTHING and she'll act the hell out of it, no matter how poorly written!)2. Jeanne Cooper (what can I say about her? 80 years old and still owning it)3. Eileen Fulton (the original soap diva..a travesty she's left off the original list)4. Martha Byrne (another travesty!!)5. Susan Lucci (she's the reason non-soap fans know anything about soaps)6. Elizabeth Hubbard (why haven't TIIC realized what an amazing actress she is and given her material worthy of her??)7. Colleen Zenk Pinter (see Elizabeth Hubbard)8. Genie Francis (made so many people fans of soap operas again!)9. Susan Flannery (a powerhouse but wasted on a terrible soap)10. Erika Slezak (what I've seen of this actress, wow)11. Helen Wagner (such history with one woman, and still working at 92!!)12. Kim Zimmer (a bit overrated at #2 on your list, but still a kickass actress)13. Lynn Herring (Audrey was a bit much but watching Lucy Coe is just classic)14. Patricia Bruder (Ellen Stuart, how can could she have been forgotten on this list?)15. Kathryn Hays (classy and talented and needs to be utilized more)16. Eden Riegel (such a powerhouse in a complicated role)17. Rosemary Prinz (part of the original super couple of soaps!)18. Cady McLain (not in the last 2 Rosanna returns or even so much as Dixie but as powerful business woman Rosanna Cabot)19. Mary Beth Evans (great in every role)20. Susan Haskell (only actor that got me into OLTL, albeit briefly)21. 22. Victoria Wyndham (so original and fantastic)23. Judi Evans (another great actress wasted on the mess that is ATWT recently)24. Vanessa Marcil (I don't really know her as Brenda but did love her as Gina on 90210)25. Lisa Brown (pitch perfect as Iva, who can forget her going after Josh in the barn with Lily?)

I don't really have a list...I don't watch all the soaps, only a couple but I really think you overlooked Sharon Case. I strongly believe she's one of the very best leading ladies on Young and the Restless, imo, she IS the very best, but I'm willing to compromise.

I will be sending you my TOP 25 list soon but I just wanted to leave a comment now..MARTHA BYRNE shouldve never been left out of the TOP 50!..in my opinion she shouldve been #1!...but I wouldve been happy just to see her on the list!!!...hopefully next time MARTHA BYRNE will not be overlooked!!

Thank you IOWAHAWKEYE. I have to say, in hindsight, I'd retoot the list a little. I was remiss in not mentioning Ellen Holly in my top 25. Carla's story made a huge impact in my young psche, I was about 6 or 7 when that story played out and although I didn't truly understand the enormity of it, it made me a life long soap fan. Soaps and The Electric Company :) I have to say, some actresses were included because of the ENORMITY of their role and not their acting talent, I'm sorry but La Lucci is one of them. Maybe there should have been a separate list for Great Talent vs Great Characters. Looking forward to seeing your list and more from others. WE LOVE SOAPS, great blog to reminisce.

I already sent my list via email, but for the other people out there this is how i ranked them and what i had to say about them.

1. Erika Slezak (there is no other, imho, her range, depth and intensity is unmatched. not to mention her classy way of discussing soaps, you can tell she is a FAN).

2. Robin Mattson (i'm beside myself with greif over how this amazing actress was left off the list of critics choices; she's appeared on nearly every soap and has hit it out of the ball park each and every time).

3. Finola Hughes (how did she not make the top 50 critics list? shes among the most well respected performers to ever grace this medium.)

4. Colleen Zenk-Pinter (is there a braver actress out there? i think not, she will go anywhere, has no limits and is the type of actress that makes daytime look brillant)

5. Julia Barr (she to me is the efinition of the type of intelligent characters that once made up soaps, she's a rare breed and is so missed on soaps)

6. Kimberline Brown (she plays psychotic like no other)

7. Lynn Herring (she has it all, beauty, dramatic talent and a sense of humor---her Lucy Coe was a delight for years as both a villian and a herione; she can play drama and zany comedy to perfection)

8. Deidra Hall (how was DOOL's biggest star left off the critics list? not to mention the likely most famous face in daytime history; besides La Lucci that is?)

9. Robin Strasser (Robin Strasser is unmatched in her care for this genre. she loves soaps as much as us fans do and has passionately fought for it's survivial for decades now).

10. Robin Christopher (she has played Skye on four different shows and played Linda Dano's daugther on TWO shows and each time has found a new elemant to make her work more and more special; she can play everything from selfish spoiled brat to empathetic friend).

11. Catherine Hickland (a talent ulike any other!)

12. Jacklyn Zeman (she is a rare talent; she has come to be known as the heart of "GH' and is sadly undervalued on that show)

13. Susan Lucci (she gets lots of flack for playing campy over the top Erica Kane but it takes a real pro to make her character believable, rootable and likeable day in and day out. It's clear that La Lucci is as different from Erica Kane as i am from Arnold Schwartzenager and it's sad nobody realizes how talented she is).

14. Lisa Peluso (She'll always be Ava Rescott Alden to me, but this sensational actress has grown up on-screen and is a talent for the ages)

15. Kristina Wagner (may would consider this a odd choice, but she has a natural sweetness that is unmatched and it's her personality that made Felicia a fan favorite for decades!)

16. Judith Light (her talent really is so obvious but nobody has the ability to take a scene and turn it into must see like she does).

17. Kimberly McCoullagh (the work she did at age 6 was better than some work being done by people three times her age and she's only gotten better with age. her emotionally wrought work during the AIDS storyline is one for the history books).

18. Sarah Joy Brown (you can't say anything about this actress other than BRILLANT, BRAVO and TOUR DE FORCE. every performance is filled with passion).

19. Nancy Lee Grahn (she elevates every scene to a new level; full of wit, intellegance and pure Talent)

20. Susan Haskell

21. Kelly Ripa (talk about growth she went from green teenager actress and blossomed into one of the most composed performers on daytime. her journey is sensational and she's amazing)

22. Eva La Rue

23. Tonja Walker Davidson (a master of comedy and a brillant villaness, she has the ability to draw you into a scene just by entering the room. she commands your attention).

24. Hilary Bailey Smith

25. Marj Dusay (name any other actress that can turn a bland scene into shakespeare-esque grand theater? i dare you? nobody else matches her ability to grab a scene by it's horns and turn it into a showstopper)

OK seriously, I haven't watched soaps for more than 20 years so it seems unfair to put an 'all time' list together when my viewing has been about 1/3 of all time.

Crystal and Genie are the most 'raw' actresses I have seen on a consistent basis. They never fail to deliver, CRY on cue, rage like noone else, make you laugh and you can watch their performances over and over and find something new each time...layers.They are the reason I watch SOAPS...amazing talents and amazing women.

I'm not claiming objectivity. I'm listing the actresses who have really entertained me over the years. The ones that moved and exhilarated me. 1 - Crystal Chappell (had never seen her until Feb.2009 but she just blew me away the last few months of GL. Judging from YouTube clips she was terrific in all her past storylines as well but she never got the writing she deserved until Otalia)2 - Susan Pratt ( I still remember her SL with Richard Shoberg on AMC from over 20 years ago. They both really moved me. It was the only time I ever wrote a fan letter)3 - Beverly McKinsey (I will never forget the Alexandra and Lujack story. It filled me with emotion)4 - Michelle Stafford (Her acting just leaves me speechless. She dominates the screen when she is on)5 - Constance Ford (She's been gone for years but Still stands out - loved scenes between Rachel and her mom)6 - Maureen Garrett ( I will never forget Holly and Roger)7 - Ruth Warrick ( Loved Phoebe. Simply a great actress on soaps and in Citizen Kane)8 - Martha Byrne (She was great as Lily and Rose - miss her)9 - Hillary B Smith (Loved her as Margo and as Nora)10 - Darlene Conley ( Sally Spectra larger than life! That show really needs her)11 - Susan Flannery (loved her scenes with DC but of course she has got to be at the top of anyone's best actress list.)12 - Kate Mulgrew (Jack and Mary were my favorite super couple ever)13 - Nancy Addison (Great actress and breath taking beauty)14 - Charita Bauer (She was a loving mother figure to me all during the fifties when I was growing up)15 - Elizabeth Hubbard (Loved her as Althea on The Doctors and she is superb in a limited role on ATWT)16 - Victoria Rowell (Miss her on Y&R)17 - Robin Strasser (Loved her as Rachel and as Dorian)18 - Erika Slezak (Love her on OLTL. She is a fine actress)19 - Ilene Kristin (Her Delia was unforgettable)20 - Mary Stuart (She was the first soap actress I ever loved was just 4 when I first saw JoAnn Barron Tate)21 - Mary Kay Adams (I loved Phillip and India - one of my all time favorite couples)22 - Denise Alexander (Loved her on the early years of DOOL - when she left I did too)23 - Jeanne Cooper (She remains a superstar at 80. Still full of sound and fury - an inspiration)24 - Julia Barr (Loved her as Brooke and still miss her)25 - Kim Zimmer (She is quite a character and never phones it in)

1. Susan Flannery (She was a favorite as Laura Horton and now I am impressed how she handles aging and still being a force to reckon with.)

2. Victoria Wyndam (She brought it on AW and I hated to miss an episode with she and Mac or her mom or Anne Heche.) Ran home after teaching all day in time to see, if at all possible.3. Jeanne Cooper (Memorable performances w/ Jess Walton over her husband.)4. Jess Walton (Classic soap actress.)5. Elizabeth Hubbard (Consummate performer)6. Beverly McKinnsey (Classy and beautiful)7. Crystal Chappell (Sexy fighter. Great as Olivia)8. Erika Slezak (Saw her on Broadway...great actress)9. Constance Ford (So strong and played so well with Victoria Wyndam.10. Michelle Stafford ( Best conniver, friend, mama, etc.)11. Kate Mulgrew (I just love to watch her act.)12. Anne Heche (She pulled off playing twins like no one else.)13. Francis Reid (Came home early from teaching because repairman needed in to apartment. Ms. Reid was telling that someone had died. I was crying. Roommate came home & told her. She started crying. As repairman left, he said as he bowed his head (southern thing) and said he was sorry we had lost our friend. That was how real she played the story.14. Maura West ( Funny, conniving and loving; whatever she is given)15. Denise Alexander (She and SSH were so good together and I always pulled for Denise.)16. Susan Seaforth Hayes (Her love for Doug.)17. Jackie Zeman (Believable)18. Victoria Rowell (Hell on Wheels & acted the part.)19. Maureen Garrett (What is there to say & I loved her voice.)20. Sharon Case (Nick and Sharon when they were young. Great love affair.)21. Genie Francis (My nieces were afraid their mom loved Luke more than their Dad.)She had to give up the show to prove to family she was not addicted to Luke and Laura.) 22. Judith Light (Just a good actress.)23. Linda Dano (She walked the talk so well dressed to the 9s.)24. Louise Sorel (Wow! I never understood how she got away with burying Carly and she is still playing evil and hilarious at the same time.)25. Diedra Hall (Before the storyline went over the top.)

Because I have not watched all soaps, I have rated only those that I did watch at some point for consistent periods of time. Their performances moved me or intrigued me and to this day when I hear their names, a particular storyline will come to mind. The soaps I watched since the late 60s were AW, DOOL, Y&R, ATWT, B&B, GL, & GH. I think I watched with my granny The Secret Storm and the Edge of Night and a little of Santa Barbara but can't remember storylines.

Best actresses in daytime history. Versatile, nuanced, can go subtle and BIG, vulnerable, high emotion that break your heart and make you sob for them, both ladies can play the vixen AND the heroine.

Michelle Stafford is pure acting genius, never a false moment. She charges into a scene and commands attention not necessarily by hysterics but by the calm, sometimes eerie power of a menacing glare. She is a poignant actress, her interpretation of Phyllis' dialogue can wound to the very core. She breathes life into Y&R with a sensual strut and her wild energy. She drips sex appeal and can turn around and play the mama lion doting on her children. She has chemistry with EVERYBODY.

Crystal Chappell, what can I say? Two iconic characters. An actress of real grit, sass, and depth. She carries her emotions on her face, in her posture, with a head snap, finger roll, tears welling up on that gorgeous face. I have watched her evolve from her early days on DAYS where she had complete understanding of her role and won over fans who went "Hope, who?" as she stole Bo Brady's heart. Crystal is a sensous, lucious actress who can make you believe anything. I have been in awe of her for years.

Beverlee McKinsey #1 Can’t even name how many scenes or storylines of hers I loved. Could annihilate w/just a lilt in her voice!Michelle Stafford #2 The scenes that stay on my dvr the longest are usually hers. #1 reason I watch Y/R. Uses most effective tool there is – the eyes! Deidre Hall #3 If for nothing more than her work w/Wayne Northrup in the early 80s, she’d still make my top 10. Best crier on daytime. Parents LOVED her. Kim Zimmer #4 A RAW gutsy style of acting that I always prefer. Sarah Brown #5 Gives 150%. Elevates crappy material to another level. Never liked Steve Burton w/anyone romantically the way I did with her. Clicks w/every actor. Genie Francis #6 Has anyone been that beautiful and captivating at such a young age? The young Elizabeth Taylor of soaps at that time.Robin Strasser #7 My mother watched her in the late 60s. Still blowing us away 40 yrs later. Can make you laugh and cry literally in the same scene. Sharon Gabet #8 A shame she never clicked in a role as she did w/Raven. That smile, those eyes – is it a surprise she wrapped every man around her finger? Jensen Buchanan #9 Practically embodied the 90’s for me! Finding Jake alive at the playground (clips anyone?), seeing Ryan in heaven & sleigh ride in Banff Canda are three of my tops of ALL TIME. Favorite recast of all time.Maura West #10 Another one like Stafford that brings it 365 days a year. Makes any story or actor BETTER. Fierce, tenacious, believable. Victoria Rowell #11 Fought hard for the integrity for her character, whether it was ugly or not. Whether you hated or loved Dru, she was unforgettable. Marcy Walker #12 Whether heroine or vixen, she could bring it. One of the most entrancing heroines. GENIUS pairing of Eden & Cruz. Anne Heche #13 I remember where I was and what I was doing when I read that Heche was leaving AW. Grew at an amazing pace. Maureen Garrett #14 Brought a strength and vulnerability thru that voice and all her devices. Legendary pairing w/Michael Zaslow thru the decades. Maeve Kincaid #15 I’d watch her read the phone book. Effortless classy quality, almost eludes me why she’s so great – she just is!Constance Ford #16 Tough mother from hell, & as Robin S. tells it, a great mentor. A straight shooter on-screen and off! Robin Mattson #17 A tigress w/unforgettable eyes & underrated ability. A friend of mine says, had 2 of the best roles in daytime – Heather Webber & Gina Capwell!Victoria Wyndam #18 Probably one who made it look the easiest, as if she were doing nothing. Played schemer /heroine, made Rachel her own.Judith Light #19 Forgiven for beating Bev at the Emmys b/c of her continuing greatness and legendary performances. Can do circles around Vanessa Williams!Martha Bryne #20 Gutsy and even more raw in later years. Controversial drug addiction story had me RIVETED. Had chemistry w/everyone. Jeanne Cooper #21 Some of earliest most unforgettable soap moments involved Cooper. Came to Y/R 30+ years ago, practically saved the show single-handedly! Elizabeth Hubbard #22 The Doctors’ Althea, & then ATWT (tho severely underused), I’ll never forget her. Uses every device possible to make a scene work. Nancy Lee Grahn #23 Intelligent heroine who never seems to be a victim no matter what the story. Classy, brainy, witty, gutsy. Dorothy Lyman (24) Created unforgettable roles. Always did her own thing. Eileen Davidson (25) Carried DOOL for 3 yrs! Untapped comedic talent put to great use.

I've only ever been a CBS girl, so I have no opinion of any of the actresses who never appeared on a CBS show in the past 35 years. That being said, I can't argue your choices much, except to say how very sad it is that several ATWT stars I think get overlooked all the time because they played the same character for so long, among an extraordinarily talented cast, and each show can only nominate so many for awards each year. The worst of those who were overlooked on your list, I feel are...

Martha ByrneEllen DolanColleen Zenk Pinter

Each, extremely talented & versatile, yet extraordinarily unsung throughout the decades, and I dare say could hold their own among any of those mentioned on your list.

This is not a "Greatest Actresses" list. Simply, a "Personal Favorites" list of some of the amazing women who have captured (and held) my rapt attention over the last 20 years. It just so happens that my favorites happen to be damn fine actresses as well.

I've included one word as an attempt to wholly describe each woman. Here goes...

(*While I was too young to see Judith Light's OLTL heyday and I discovered Guiding Light at the tailend of Beverlee McKinsey's run, I have seen much of their work since. Because any little morsel of a performance by either woman that I ran across only made me actively seek out what had come before and what came after. And it still does. They were just. that. amazing.)

Certainly not an objective list, but a respectable one, nonetheless. Thank you for your hard work on this project, Roger & Damon.

I know I'm leaving out actresses whom I'm sure deserve to be among the top. Sorry to say, I've never been able to get into the Bell shows, and the only time I've ever watched DOOL, Crystal Chappell and Louise Sorel - who would have been, like, # 26 for me - were practically the only ones who could act who had anything to do. But I know there are plenty of people who have watched those shows over the years to balance out my "best of the NY shows plus a few other random people" list.

I have to say, I am amazed that your panel managed to capture such a broad spectrum, because I'll freely admit that I "cheated" and narrowed my list down to actresses who had been on a soap for at least 5 years - much as I wanted to include people like Sarah Felder and Anne Heche and Cynthia Watros, whom I was so happy made your list. I justified it because they had all the chance to play the significant evolution and growth of one (or more) characters over that time.